The skinny on stripes and other lines: slimming verticals

In a recent advice post, I explained the basics when it comes to using stripes and other lines to look thinner, taller, and generally balance out your figure. Now, I’m going to give you more examples that you can use.

Here I focus on verticals, a great place to start since they’re the easiest to use.

Ways to create and extend those thinning vertical lines

We love vertical lines because they are the easiest to work with and are generally more flattering than horizontals. However, you don’t have to go around looking like a caged canary.

While stripes are certainly a form of line and are sometimes a perfectly good choice, there are many ways to create vertical lines. And in fact, there is something to be said about more subtle choices that create an illusion without revealing the trick behind it.

To lengthen your entire body

• Dress monochromatically. The reason this oft-said advice works is because it makes your outfit one large vertical line.
• For the same reason, dresses can be lengthening if they’re all one color or pattern — even if they’re white.
• Long coats create a long vertical line where they button.

To lengthen your legs

• Wear shoes that match your pants, or your skin tone if you’re wearing a skirt. It will make your legs look longer.
• Or, wear black shoes with black stockings — especially if paired with a black skirt.
• Gym pants often have a vertical stripe down the side. It’s definitely a lengthening vertical.
• Wear your pants to just the slightest bit above the ground to make your legs look longer.
• Side slits in skirts lengthen the look of your your legs.
• If they lay straight, pleats can be lengthening.
• Subtle pinstripes can be lengthening on skirts and pants.
• While they can easily look dowdy, long skirts and dresses can be lengthening, especially if they’re long enough to hide the fact that you’re wearing heels.

To lengthen your torso

• Button up shirts can be flattering because a line is created down the center.
• Long necklaces and thin scarves create vertical lines.
• Jackets and cardigans create vertical lines.
• Pinstripes are also flattering on blouses.
• Choosing cable knit sweaters is a great way to balance out the extra volume of a sweater.
• Even just adding vents on a jacket can help lengthen and break up the horizontals of an otherwise boxy jacket.

To lengthen your neck

• V-necklines extend the line of your neck, making it look longer and thinner.

Check back soon

Now that you’ve mastered vertical lines, don’t forget to check back soon for my next post in this series which will be on those pesky horizontals.